German referee will decide the outcome of Spain - Italy

[pavyracer]

We know now who does he want Germany to face in finals.

[SBR Lou]

I wasn't tuned in, what happened?

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Let's just say the chance of a Spanish penalty is fairly minimal.....

[fiveteamer]

pavy, that wasn't a penalty.

[pavyracer]

It was 3 fouls at least. If Spain wins this game they will be battered and bruised for Germany to beat. If Italy wins he knows Germany will beat them. Italians are getting away with murder.

[HeeeHAWWWW]

It was outside the box, yes. There should have been a penalty earlier though, Villa's standing leg was chopped.

Atrocious unambitious garbage by the Italians - everybody behind the ball, and the only attempt at forward play are punts up to Toni. They're barely better than the Greeks.

[fiveteamer]

Italians will wear them down.

[pavyracer]

Of course they will wear them down. All they do is chop their legs and they are getting away with it. It's like watching Bob Probert of Blackhawks in action.

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Replay of the Ambrosini foul in slow mo now - from the referee's angle it's unbelievably obvious, and TV commentators unanimous it was a penalty. Villa's leg actually buckles from the contact, nowhere remotely near the ball.

Horrendously hard for Spain to score though, as Italy are 10 men behind the ball almost all the time. Miserable anti-football, total lack of attacking flair and ambition from Italy.

[fiveteamer]

Wendel Clark > Bob Probert

[fiveteamer]

Horrible finishing by Spain, these guys all look clueless.

[WileOut]

Arent the Italians the group that won the last world cup? Arent they a perennial powerhouse?

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Arent the Italians the group that won the last world cup? Arent they a perennial powerhouse?

Lot weaker this time, cos of age, injuries, suspenions, and their key striker is wildly off form. Really poor team.

[fiveteamer]

Lot weaker this time, cos of age, injuries, suspenions, and their key striker is wildly off form. Really poor team.

By Italian standards...

[pavyracer]

Can we sub the referee? This game have 0-0 written on it all over the place. I'll see you at the PK's.

[fiveteamer]

That was a goal there if that pass go though.

[fiveteamer]

Spain is putting on a lot of pressure. They are 3/1 at betfair right now.

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Amazing that someone as crafty and skilful as Donadoni could seriously send out a team that's effectively playing a 7-2-1 formation.

[fiveteamer]

Heeeeeeeehawwwwwwwwwww, Italy always plays like this. No surprise here.

[pavyracer]

Let's hope that Fabrecas picks up the pace. Italy is defending in mass numbers now.

[fiveteamer]

wow! close for the greasers.

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Heeeeeeeehawwwwwwwwwww, Italy always plays like this. No surprise here.

No, they normally play 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2, with both fullbacks attacking and a deep lying playmaker. Here they're so terrified of being exposed defensively everybody is sitting back, and there's no playmaker at all, just 3 extra defenders masquerading as midfielders.

[pavyracer]

I just saw this stat. Spain 420 passes completed to Italy 250.

[fiveteamer]

Well, what I meant was that Italy always plays not to lose. No matter if it's Spain or Faroe Islands.

[fiveteamer]

hahah, the ref was right there. what a ****ing DIVE.

[sofun]

I agree with you, I sit on my sofa and getting mad with this dams Referee

[pavyracer]

hahah, the ref was right there. what a ****ing DIVE.

It can't be a dive when you go backwards. Have you ever played soccer?

[fiveteamer]

what would you call it then? a DROP? dive = any type of faking.

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Italy a bit more ambitious now, with Di Natale and Camoranesi on.

[pavyracer]

what would you call it then? a DROP? dive = any type of faking.

It's called losing your balance son.

[fiveteamer]

He was carded, and rightfully so.

[pavyracer]

Can you get Simon Cowell lookalike off the pitch please? This is not American Idol. Worst referee ever!

[sofun]

I call it a stupid Referee, maybe his generation are placing the bets on the Italy, hell know

[shifer]

Please stop. The referee is not siding with anyone, its just childish to claim so. THought we agreed not putting the blame on someone else. If he wanted Germany to go out so he had a chance to be the referee in the final, he had to go for spain as you say is the best team. He cant be a referee as long as Germany is in the final. But of course, corruption on this level is out of the question.

Fact is, so far Italians are doing an excellent tactical game and Spain are frustrated. Going into the PK, im so happy I sided with Italians to advance. Buffon has by far been the best goalie in the tournament.

And yes, its possible to throw yourselves backwards..lets say its a situation where the defender sort of push the attacker inside the 16m box, the attacker throws himself but dont get a penalty. And the passes completed thing has nothing to do with the game. Spain are well known for passing the ball alot, but not very straightforward minded. Instead they pass and pass, hoping for a chance to break. Italy will go more for the long ball, knowing they have Luca Toni as a targetman up there.

As I said yesterday, Italy will advance.

[shifer]

It was 3 fouls at least. If Spain wins this game they will be battered and bruised for Germany to beat. If Italy wins he knows Germany will beat them. Italians are getting away with murder.

Eh, Russia is playing the winner of this.